CUBA




History Summary
History Timeline
Historical Enemies
Historical Conflicts
Flag and significance
Map
Traditions/Culture
Traditional Clothes
Traditional Food




Cuban Flag



external image cuban_flag_0.jpg

The blue stripes refer to the 3 old divisions of the island. The white stripes represent the strength of the independent ideal. The red triangle represents the equality, fraternity and freedom, as well as the bloodshed in the island's struggle for independence. Finally, the white star represents the freedom among the Cuban's.



Cuba Map



external image Cuba.gif
Cuba is the world's seventh largest island. It is the largest Caribbean Island. Click on the map above to see where Cuba is on a world map.



History Summary



When Christopher Columbus landed in Cuba, Spain took commission of it. Cuba later wanted to become independent from Spain, which caused the 10 year war, in 1868. A Cuban writer, Joes Mari, caused another revolt, partnered with the United States, which became the Spanish American War and led to the setting up of an independent republic in 1899. In 1902, Estrada Palma was elected the first president. The next president was an old military leader, Fulgencio Batista, who started another revolution, and overthrew the government of Gerardo Machado. In 1961, ties with the United States were lost while Fidel Castro was president. In response, Castro allied with the Soviet Union. Also, in 1961, President Kennedy of the US had failed a mission to eliminate Cuba's government. This was known as the Bay of Pigs. In 1962, the US became aware of the USSR's holding of missiles in Cuba. this later became known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. When Russian Communism fell in 1990, so did Cuba. Fidel Castro retired officially in 2008.

Fidel Castro 2003
Fidel Castro 2003




History Timeline

http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/places-timelines/14-cuban-timeline.htm





Historical Enemies

Spain:Like Mexico, Cuba wanted independence from Spain.
United States:Enemies when Fidel Castro was in charge.


Historical Conflicts


Grito de Yara "Shout of Yara"
Grito de Yara "Shout of Yara"


10 Years War (1868-1878)
The Small War (1879-1880)
The War For Independence (1895-1898)








Traditions/Culture



Captiol:Havana

Language:The main language of Cuba is Spanish, due to its heritage.
Religion:The largest organized religion in Cuba is Roman Catholic.
Holidays:- Christmas- May 1, Día de los Trabajadores (Day of the Workers)- July 26, Day of the National Rebellion







Traditional Clothes



Men usually wear Guayabera shirts along with cotton pants or jeans. Women wear clothes such as miniskirts and blouses, usually in bright colors.

Guayabera Shirt. Worn for formal and informal occasions.
Guayabera Shirt. Worn for formal and informal occasions.





Traditional Food


The average Cuban meal consists of rice and beans. They also have meats, such as pork, chicken, and fish, plantains, taro, cassava, and sweet potato. Some fruits they have are mangos, guavas, avocados, and papayas.
Picadillo
Picadillo

By: C. Charnecki

Bibliography:

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/article/Cuba/Cuban-Clothes/1023
http://www.suite101.com/content/traditional-cuban-food-a51487
http://www.salsa-dance-professional.com/history-of-cuba.html
http://www.cubagenweb.org/mil/war-hist.htm
http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Costa-Rica-to-Georgia/Cubans.html
http://www.destination360.com/caribbean/cuba/events